T-Rex Michael Angelo Batio Signature Overdrive

Featuring a polished aluminum enclosure emblazoned with Batio’s WWII-era Air Force star, the Michael Angelo Batio Overdrive ($269 retail/$200 street) looks like the pedal equivalent of a P-51 fighter. Batio is known for shredding at light speed on twin guitars, so I figured this pedal might be a little out of my realm, but was I mistaken.

This is possibly the most evenly balanced, musically useful overdrive I’ve ever come across. With the Gain at 12 o’clock, it delivers a wonderfully subtle crunch sound. Crank up the Gain and you get progressively heavier saturation that never becomes obtrusive on your fundamental tone. Give the Tone knob a twist to three o’ clock, and it adds a nice chime to high-gain sounds. Even when used in conjunction with other gain-inducing pedals and amps, this pedal always sounds upfront and present when you kick it on. Well done!